Readers’ reaction to “What’s on Your mind? Asks face book Cover story on Cardinal Alancherry land deal loss”
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I am not sure if Mar. Alencherry is in way responsible for the huge monetary and reputational loss that the Ernakulam- Angamali Archdiocese suffered in the contraversial land deal. But from what I heard in one of discussions on this subject in TV, it is clear that somebody in the Diocese either deliberately or inadvertently played a role in this fraudulent deal. If Mar Alencherry who claims Control over all the Syro Malabar Faithful, the world over, inspite of the clear instructions from Vatican that facilitating the extension of spiritual Services should not be construed as conferring any special powers to him, it's his responsibility to prove to the faithful that he is suitable and capable of handling such an awesome and enermous responsibility.
I am at a loss to understand how the Archdiocese could send a Circular to the Parish Priests explaining the circumstances that led to this land deal with Instructions not to reveal the contents to the faithful. It shows the total disregard and disrespect with which the Syro Clergy treats it's faithful. We the Faithful are the real owners of all the property and Institutions that the Catholic Church possess. But the Clergy are under the wrong impression that they own all the Church properties and are not answerable to any one. This arrogant attitude has to change. The Church Act is the only solution to avoid the recurrence of similar fraudulent activities.
Jose kallidikil, Chicago.
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Isaac Gomes 31/12/2017 at 3:38 pm (Edit)
Matrubhumi dated 31 December 2017 published the following report captioned "Land scam: Believers send letter to Pope asking for probe"
Kochi: A group of believers sent a letter to the Pope demanding a probe in the land deal under Angamaly-Kochi Archdiocese. The letter was in the name of V. J. Hyacinth, chairman of Mother Teresa Global Foundation.
The letter alleges that there was tax evasion and black money transaction involved in the land deal. It also demands that the transaction was done violating the laws in India, so that a probe commission excluding Cardinal Mar George Alencherry should investigate into the case. As per the church rules, Cardinal is the next higher authority after the Pope, and no priest can question his power according to the canon law, said V. J. Hyacinth
The allegation of illegal land transaction is against Catholic Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church Cardinal Mar George Alencherry. A group of priests had accused that the church suffered huge loss due to the land deal which was initiated to repay the bank loans. Though the Archdiocese has appointed a probe commission, they have to submit the report to Mar Alencherry. V. J. Hyacinth added that all of the 6-member commission are loyal to the Cardinal which in turn will affect the impartial investigation into the case.
Alexian brothers, a Belgium-based congregation, had handed over the land at Thrikkakkara to Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, on an agreement that the land should be used only for charity purposes. The land worth Rs 100 crore was sold to repay the loan of about Rs 50 crore.
It seems it will be a repeat of the recent outcome of 2G Scam case.
01 January 2018
Dr James Kottoor
According reports in Time of India today 31/12/17/ the letter to Pope has not been sent. They are waiting to hear from Mar Alanchery his response to include that also, if found convincing. If he fails to give his response, or gives one not convincing, it will not be included in the letter. So the latest report in Times of India says that the letter is now shedueled to be sent to Rome on or before Jan.4th. The middle men may have made financial gains but not Mar Alanchery according to me.
The only plausible complaint againt him could be his lack of transparancy with brother bishops living in the same Archbishop's House. According to Toi report quoting Bishop Adayanthrath he and his brother bishop didnot know about it till now which is hard to believe. So let us wait for the Cardinal's reply.
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Joseph Mattapally (asso. editor) The present crisis in the Syro-Malabar Church has a long withheld story of infight. It all began from a debate on the tradition and liturgy, Syro – Malabar Church is supposed to follow. A group lead by Mar Joseph Powathil stood for absolute Chaldean tradition (which got the approval of Vatican) but the fact was that Nazranis had no hierarchical connection with Chaldeans except that we let them do their practises in our churches. Mar Powathil was forcing his understanding of liturgy and tradition into the Syro – Malabar Church and the present conflict is the culmination of the unsuccessful resistances against this autocratic move. The present crisis is the result of effective utilisation of a golden opportunity to bounce upon the accused group, which introduced Mar Alnchery to the central stage. It is important that a few Bishops and some priests have joined hand in glove breaking their vows of obedience to the Arch Bishop. The only solution is reconciliation, according to which the interests of the Church, the laity and the fighting groups in the clergy are to be considered amicably.
